What started as a routine congressional hearing erupted into a political firestorm after Texas Representative Keith Self deliberately misgendered Delaware Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress. The incident, which played out live during a March 11, 2025, committee session, has sparked a heated national debate over respect, decorum, and the GOP’s ongoing crusade against transgender rights.
The Moment That Stunned the Room
During the hearing, Rep. Self pointedly referred to McBride as “Mr. McBride”, a move that many saw as a calculated insult rather than an innocent mistake. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence before McBride, maintaining unwavering composure, responded with a sharp yet poised:
"Thank you, Madame Chair."
Massachusetts Representative Bill Keating immediately called out Self’s behavior, demanding, “Have you no decency, sir?” The tension escalated within seconds, with committee members visibly stunned by the blatant display of disrespect.
Rather than back down or apologize, Self doubled down, repeated the misgendering, and abruptly adjourned the session—a move that many saw as an attempt to avoid further scrutiny.
Texas Republican Keithself storms out of the meeting he's supposed to be running because a Democrat asked him to treat his colleague Sarah McBride with respect. These people would not last one day as a trans person. pic.twitter.com/qtgg879u2A
The GOP’s Justification—And the Backlash
Not long after the hearing, Rep. Self defended his words, claiming he was simply following a “biological sex policy” that aligns with a controversial Trump-era executive order that seeks to erase legal recognition of transgender identities.
His explanation did little to stem the outrage. Social media exploded with backlash, with many calling his actions cruel, unnecessary, and indicative of the Republican Party’s escalating hostility toward LGBTQ+ Americans.
McBride, on the other hand, refused to be dragged into the spectacle. In a later statement, she called for a focus on actual policy, not petty political stunts.
"The American people expect us to debate real issues—jobs, healthcare, security—not to waste time on manufactured outrage over my existence."
A Bigger Battle Over Trans Rights
This incident isn’t happening in a vacuum. The Republican Party has been ramping up attacks on transgender Americans, pushing for bathroom bans, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and legislation targeting LGBTQ+ education in schools.
Self’s remarks weren’t just a personal jab at McBride—they were a loud statement in the GOP’s ongoing culture war. But if the backlash is any indication, this fight is far from one-sided.
With the 2026 elections looming, both McBride and her Republican challengers now find themselves at the center of a battle much bigger than one viral moment. This isn’t just about politics anymore—it’s about who gets to be seen, heard, and respected in America’s future.